Press Releases

January 24, 2011

America to Celebrate Dress in Blue Day

Wearing Blue, Saving Lives, Promoting Colon Cancer Awareness

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 24, 2011) – The 3rd Annual National Dress In Blue Day event will be held in communities and offices nationwide on Friday, March 4th as part of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

“Dress in Blue Day gains more attention with each successive year, and this year is no exception,” said Andrew Spiegel, CEO of the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA).  “The purpose of Dress in Blue Day is to promote awareness regarding the importance of colon cancer screening.  Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the country.  We need to make sure that everyone, especially those over the age of 50 years, is talking with their doctor about getting a screening test.  Dress in Blue Day is a great way to get people talking about this important issue while saving lives in the process.”

Dress in Blue Day takes place on the first Friday in March.  In addition to asking people to Dress in Blue, CCA is providing individuals with “Ask Me Why I’m Blue” buttons and bracelets designed to prompt meaningful and lifesaving conversations about this highly preventable disease. You can order these or additional materials by visiting www.dressinblueday.com.

The idea for Dress in Blue Day originated in 2006 when, Anita Mitchell, a Colon Cancer Alliance volunteer, survivor, and co-founder of Colon S.T.A.R.S. of Seattle wanted to find an effective way to honor a friend who had recently passed away from colon cancer and recognize others who are fighting this disease.  In 2009, the CCA, excited by the idea, worked with the group to bring national recognition to Dress in Blue Day.

The CCA is the nation’s leading colon cancer patient advocacy organization, focused on prevention of this disease and survivorship.  The CCA provides a variety of support, education and awareness programs throughout the year for patients, survivors and caregivers including the Undy 5000 5K Runs (www.undy5000.org), Cities Go Blue for Colon Cancer and the annual Dress in Blue Day.

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The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is the oldest and largest national patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer.  In order to increase rates of screening and survivorship, the CCA provides patient support, public education, supports research and conducts advocacy work across America

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